Bookin' It with KOSM's Erik Leonhard

KOSM

In light of recent metal happenings, you know which ones...the ones...in Florida...that if you read the song titles...you'd know they were going to happen...

It's high time we point out once again that most metal folks are just normal people who really love heavy fucking metal.

We're well adjusted and we bang our heads and sometimes run into the walls because we were dodging the cat.

So, let's check out Progressive Metal band, KOSM. Erik Leonhard was good enough to take time away from publicizing their latest record, Cosmonaut, to talk to us about the printed word.

Just in case you've all forgotten, the pen is super metal, because it's mightier than the sword. Take that, Amon Amarth!

1. I try to read at least two books per month, and mostly fail, what's your goal and reality?

I wouldn’t say I have a monthly goal, although I try to read as much as possible. Some months I end up flying through a couple books easy. 

Some months I can barely make a dent in one. It all depends on how busy life is at any given time, and whether or not I’ve stumbled across a really good read. I also use Audible, which really helps.

When you can’t find the time to sit down with a book, you can still “read” while doing chores, etc.

2. Encyclopedia Brown and Choose Your Own Adventure books were a big part of my childhood. What did you read back in Elementary School?

I honestly didn’t read too much in Elementary School. I used to read random sci-fi and horror books here and there, but my love of books didn’t really start until I was in High School. 

I do recall being pretty into The Hobbit in Elementary School, and I managed to get through The Lord of the Rings before the movies came out.

3. It's no secret that I think Harry Potter is an amazing saga, but it wasn't until after the movie for Chamber of Secrets was released that I began reading the books. What was the big thing you were late on?

I was a little late on A Song of Ice and Fire. I don’t think I initially had any intention to read the books. 

But when the first season ended, I couldn’t stand waiting a year to find out what happened, so I started tearing through the whole series. I was a little sad when I got to the end of book 5, and found out how long it takes George R.R. Martin to get the books out. 

I guess things have really come full circle. I’m going to have to watch the show to find out what happens in the books.

4. My local library is amazing and I'm there pretty frequently. What do you like about your library?

I think libraries are a great thing, which is why I’m embarrassed to say that I rarely visit them these days. Between Indigo and Audible, I find I’m pretty well covered. 

That being said, they used to be the cornerstone of my life. When I was in university, I used to spend hours reading and researching. The thing I like about my local library is the solitude and tranquility. (I guess you can probably say that about any good library). 

Life is so busy and so loud these days, that it’s nice to be able to go somewhere where it feels like things are moving a little slower, and you can be with your own thoughts.

5. Comic Books. Which ones are you reading?

I haven’t read any comics in a few years, but the last series I was really into was Garth Ennis’ take on Hellblazer. I was halfway through “Dangerous Habits” before I realized it was the basis for the movie Constantine. 

While I think the movie was pretty good, in my mind it just doesn’t compare to the comic. I’d never read a comic that engrossed me so completely. I can read that comic again and again.

Similarly, I was part way through Mark Millar’s Wanted before I realized it was the basis the movie of the same name. Unlike Constantine, I did not think the movie was pretty good. Someday, Timur Bekmambetov will be brought to justice for that mockery of a film. 

Someday.

6. What author can you just read again and again?

I don’t know if I can name a particular author here. But I can name a book that’s really captured my imagination recently. A couple of years ago I was hanging out with a friend, and we started talking about polar exploration (as one does). 

He recommended a book called The Terror by Dan Simmons, a fictionalized account of the lost Franklin Expedition of 1845. I picked it up and started reading, expecting a forgettable pulp-horror novel. But since reading that book, it’s never totally left my mind, and I’ve reread it a few times now. 

I’m not sure exactly what it is about the book that’s captivated me so much, but I suspect it’s Simmons’ excellent joining of fiction, folklore, and history. Despite the obviously fictional aspects of the novel, it’s got me interested in that aspect of Canadian history. It also really makes you think about the extremes of human experience. 

I’ve found myself looking at my own life with a bit of a different perspective.